With the mpg of the new 328, the diesel is pretty hard to make a case for. Shame...

Seems that some folks think that diesels have not improved economy the same way the gas/petrol cars are? It's the 8AT that has caused much of the big increase in the new models' economy...and both the gassers and diesels are getting/using the 8-speed. Heck, using the ZF8HP70 transmission, the current max performance Euro-spec F10 535d M Sport even gets better economy than any of the smaller gas F30s...320i, 328i, 335i and the 535d has the same 5.5s 0-60(62) acceleration as the fastest F30, the 335i.

I guess we'll see how $5.00/gal gas this summer makes some folks think about how "good enough", or "not good enough" the 34mpg 328i would be if even "just" a 320d were made available here getting 54mpg (US) combined...59mpg in the Efficient Dynamics trim, for some that would be a very convincing case for a personal decision...if only BMW would bring even an N47 over, before the F30 LCI.

With the mpg of the new 328, the diesel is pretty hard to make a case for. Shame...

The 335d with its (much older) 3.0L M57 gives 25 more hp and 165 more ft-lbs (with much more punch where you need it most in daily driving), than the N20. With the 6hp28 transmission the 335d is every bit as efficient, as the 328i with its 2.0L N20 and 8speed transmission, and also faster. To me that says a hell of a lot about the 335d. (Update the 335d with BMWs current Diesel engines and an 8speed in F31 and I would purchase one today.)

With the mpg of the new 328, the diesel is pretty hard to make a case for. Shame...

If you want to compare apples to apples, you can't compare to the previous generation diesel. The new diesels are making over 300hp (in the 535d) and 40d models.... And then of course the 50d tri turbo. And still with phenomenal fuel economy.

Automobile Magazine claims that BMW intends to bring over the 4 cylinder diesel in the 3 series. I can't post a link because the info is only in the magazine (iPad in my case), and not on the website.

I think BMW will do whatever it has to to meet upcoming fuel economy regs, and I have a hard time believing that 2 mode transmission "hybrids" will get them where they need to be. It will get really interesting for BMW as a brand when the new fwd shitboxes start showing up.

If gas prices stay where they are, there will be a good reason to bring the 320d here. 50+ mpg will look very attractive to a lot of people...I'd happily downgrade my 335d to a 320d with a 6 speed manual!